The sheltered tub at the Chief Shakes Hot Springs got a facelift this summer. Waterlogged cedar supports were replaced with concrete foundations, and a new roof was put on as part of a Forest Service maintenance project. Additional work improved the decking at the outside tub to the east.
Repairs to public sites at the Stikine River's popular hot springs have been completed.
Located on the mainland some 28 miles northwest of Wrangell, the Chief Shakes Hot Springs flow into a slough off of Ketilli Slough. The United States Forest Service(USFS) maintains a pair of recreational tubs there which have long been a destination for locals on both sides of the Stikine's delta flats.
"It is the most popular spot on the river," said Bob Dalrymple, ranger for Wrangell's USFS district.
One of the two tubs is set inside a screened cedar structure, with a layout reminiscent of Japanese architecture that was designed in 1981. Water is hose-fed from the springs into the house, making for a nice, natural hot-tub. The other tub is outdoors, set into a raised cedar deck. As with the other, hoses pipe in the water straight from the spring, which pleasantly lacks the sulfurous odor sometimes noticeable in other geothermal springs.
During a routine assessment, Dalrymple said staff noticed the tubs' foundations needed some work. Much of the material was original to the structure, and the the cedar pilings were starting to decay.
Last fall Wrangell was able to secure resources for the project through Title II funding of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Act.
"We were fortunate to get the Secure Rural Schools funding," said Dalrymple. SRS Act funding includes approximately $28 million in Title II funding for the last fiscal year, which can be used to complete special restoration projects on Federal lands proposed by resource advisory committees.
The Wrangell-Petersburg-Kake Resource Advisory Committee approved the project, and the bid was awarded to Rainforest Contracting of Petersburg for $47,940.
"They were really supportive of it," Dalrymple said of the local RAC. The springs have the benefit of being a mutually popular asset for both communities and a busy destination through the summer.
Though the project was approved last fall, work didn't begin until July.
"It's a challenging construction site and a project because of the variation of the river levels," Dalrymple explained. "A lot of the time we can't get to these places until June," when the water level is high enough to reach the site.
Rainforest Contracting brought out materials needed for the work in stages beforehand, and between July 15 and early August set about repairs to the recreation area. Foundation repairs were made to the eight decaying cedar posts. The roofs were replaced for the indoor shelter and outdoor changing structure. The decaying portions of cedar posts were replaced with concrete columns, and the remaining material was reinforced with metal bands. Roof components were changed out, including the tongue and groove decking, underlayment, shakes and flashing.
"It actually worked pretty well," said Ron Schmohl, civil engineer with Wrangell Ranger District.
A final inspection was conducted on Aug. 5, and the site reopened to the public. Other small fixes were also completed at the site, and the structures tested for water penetration. A few boards still await replacement, and are on the list for regular maintenance.
Some of the wear and tear to the site was not from the weather, but rather vandalism. Minor things like bottle caps hammered into railings and boards broken from rowdy swimmers have taken a toll. Some damage has been done to the outlying scenery, as in August when a Samaritan of a sort decided to cut down 20 trees along the boardwalk.
Dalrymple would like to see USFS maintain a more regular presence in the area, by way of a river ranger. The assignment has been vacant for almost two years.
"We have that position, but we don't have funding right now," he explained.
Other end-of-season maintenance to the district's cabins and facilities is wrapping up as summer staff head home. Meanwhile, Wrangell district interpreter Corree Delabrue explained USFS is looking for new RAC volunteers and project proposals. Application forms and additional information are available at the district office front desk upon request.
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